Soccer: Lionel Messi scores twice to pass Pele

BARCELONA, Spain — Lionel Messi surpassed Pele’s milestone of goals in a calendar year, scoring for the 75th and 76th time in 2012 to lead Barcelona to a 4-2 victory at Mallorca in the Spanish league Sunday. Messi is within nine goals of Gerd Mueller’s career record.

Xavi Hernandez unlocked Mallorca’s defense with a free kick in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later at Iberostar Stadium.

After Mallorca scored twice early in the second half to breathe life into the match, Messi stepped up to score again helping Barcelona rebound from its loss at Celtic in the Champions League.

"Leo’s records are spectacular," Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said. "It’s spectacular when you think that he scores so many goals. Some few players reach these numbers in seven or eight seasons, he does it in one. And most of his goals are great goals."

This is the latest scoring feat for the Argentine forward.

He scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73.

He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez’s 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona’s career scoring leader.

Messi increased his league-leading tally to 15 goals. He has 20 in all competitions this season.

Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.

Dynamo surge at home

HOUSTON — The Houston Dynamo are 90 minutes away from their fourth MLS Cup final since 2006.

Andre Hainault, Will Bruin and Kofi Sarkodie each scored second-half goals to give the Dynamo a 3-1 win over D.C. United in the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals.

The win gives Houston a two-goal aggregate lead heading into next Sunday’s decisive match at RFK Stadium in Washington.

"We played a wonderful second half," said Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear. "That just shows the great character we have to score three in the second half after being down 1-0 early."

The Dynamo extended their home unbeaten streak to 30 games in all competitions, dating to June 18, 2011, when they lost to Columbus. Houston is four wins or ties shy of matching Real Salt Lake’s league-record 34-game home unbeaten streak.

Nick DeLeon scored for United in the 27th minute.

Keane leads Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. — Robbie Keane scored twice, Mike Magee added his latest clutch playoff goal and the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Seattle Sounders 3-0 on Sunday night to take a commanding lead in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference finals.